Despite reports that the U.S.-Iran talks are ongoing, Lebanese Hezbollah-affiliated (LH) news outlet Al-Mayadeen has reported that the Iranian negotiators have refused to return to the negotiating table unless U.S. President Donald J. Trump apologizes for his earlier threats against the Iranian negotiators and Israel withdraws from Southern Lebanon. However, given the source of these reports, a pro-LH outlet, it’s yet unclear if these are the true terms for negotiations to resume.

Large fires burn at the oil terminal in the Russian-occupied city of Kerch on the coast of the Crimean Peninsula, following a large-scale drone attack overnight by Ukraine, targeting military and energy infrastructure on both sides of the Kerch Strait.

Passing along what Donald Trump said earlier today. "Iran must immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble. If they don’t, we’ll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!!"

According to a statement released by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir have departed for Switzerland to participate in the upcoming U.S.-Iran talks. The statement adds that Prime Minister Sharif is expected to hold separate meetings on the sidelines of the broader negotiations with representatives from each of the participating parties.

Audio posted by Martin Kelly reportedly captures an Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGC-N) broadcast issued earlier from the Strait of Hormuz, announcing that the waterway is closed and warning all vessels that any ship approaching the area would be doing so at its own risk.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan’s chief decision-maker Field Marshal Asim Munir have now met with both parties on the sidelines of the quadrilateral talks in Switzerland, with releases and footage showing both Munir and Sharif meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, White House Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, Envoy Jared Kushner, and Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

Trump says "many additional people have been arrested" for vandalism of the Reflecting Pool.

Ukrainian forces successfully struck a fuel terminal in the Russian-occupied Crimean city of Kerch overnight, setting it ablaze. Ukrainian attack drones continue to methodically target energy infrastructure in Crimea this weekend.

There’s the ‘MOU’ and then there is the ‘THL’ The Hormuz Loop

Ukrainian SOF operators training with one of the GUR’s creatively acquired UH-60A Black Hawks.

Odds of Keir Starmer resigning by the end of the month have reportedly risen to 85% amid recent rumors. What do you guys think? Is there any substance behind the speculation, or is this just market noise?

U.S. Vice President JD Vance left just earlier for Switzerland to attend the U.S.-Qatar-Pakistan-Iran talks.

On a Russian supply route deep behind the southern frontline, a Ukrainian mid-range strike drone slams into a Russian fuel tanker.

According to Axios, citing a U.S. official, White House Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff is en route to Switzerland for the next round of U.S.-Qatar-Pakistan-Iran talks, which had previously been scheduled before being postponed due to Israeli escalations in Lebanon. The Qatari delegation reportedly arrived in Switzerland earlier and has already held meetings with Swiss officials. According to the Axios report, U.S. Vice President JD Vance is expected to lead the American delegation.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Australian Defence Force concluded the Kasangga 2026 bilateral exercises today. The latest iteration of the annual exercise series enhanced interoperability between the two militaries at both the operational and tactical levels, further strengthening defense cooperation between the Philippines and Australia.

U.S. President Donald J. Trump has said that the VC-25B Bridge donated to the U.S. by Qatar will take part in a flyover during July 4th celebrations in Washington. Per President Trump, amongst other aircraft, F-22s and F-35s will also take part in the flyover.

Seemingly in response to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei’s comments on the U.S.-Iran MOU, U.S. President Donald J. Trump posted on his Truth Social app that the U.S. did not sign the deal out of desperation, something that Khamenei had alluded to.

During an interview with an Italian broadcaster, U.S. President Donald J. Trump claimed that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni “begged” to take a photo with him during the G7 summit in France earlier this week. The comment has now sparked a new spate of political tension between the U.S. and Italy, as Prime Minister Meloni has publicly decried the comment, saying “neither I nor Italy ever beg.” Additionally, in response to the comment by President Trump, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced that his planned trip to the U.S. between June 21-22 has now been canceled.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni responded to President Donald Trump, saying: “Some matters require an immediate response. President Trump’s statements are completely unfounded, and I am frankly appalled. I do not understand why the President of the United States continues to behave this way toward his allies, especially since this is not the first time. It is regrettable that he does not show the same resolve toward the enemies of the West and the enemies of the United States, leaders toward whom he often appears far more accommodating. But he must remember one thing: neither Italy nor I ever beg.”

The last non-Iranian linked vessel to transit the Strait of Hormuz outbound is the Panamanian flagged container ship Muara that departed from Hamad, Qatar using the Iranian traffic separation scheme.